Falan N. Shaffer
Chesapeake Beach, MD— On July 12, Calvert County Sheriff’s Office Dfc. Fox was sitting in the median on Chesapeake Beach Road near Cox Road in the area of Chesapeake Beach facing east in his marked police vehicle.
Fox was alerted that a vehicle was possibly stolen in the area. Fox turned his headlights on to pursue the vehicle. Fox, “heard the engine of this vehicle revving and it appeared it was trying to evade” Fox, who stated he immediately activated his “emergency equipment and initiated an immediate pursuit,” according to charging documents.
The vehicle pursuit covered at least three blocks and reached speeds over 80 mph in a posted 30 mph zone.
According to charging documents, “numerous crashes were within inches of occurring.” The vehicle continued to be driven recklessly, failing to yield rights of way, excessively speeding and being operated with the headlights off. Once on Randle Avenue, the driver, Jason Nathaniel Marks, 32, of Riverdale, bailed out of the car and the passenger, Falan Shaffer, 33, of Upper Marlboro, was detained.
Shaffer was transported to Calvert County Detention Center, where she was charged with hindering an investigation (for providing a false name of the driver) and for theft Under $1,000 (for possession of stolen tags).
Shaffer was read her rights and advised that, “her and Marks, whom she advised she did know [to be] his real name, went to purchase this vehicle a few days ago from a male with dreadlock hair in Fort Washington. Shaffer paid $800 and Marks paid $3,700 for the vehicle. Shaffer advised, “she [Shaffer] is all about that money and likes to buy and sell cars,” according to charging documents.
An arrest warrant has been issued for Jason Marks, who will be charged with fleeing and eluding, possession of stolen property and the following traffic violations: negligent driving, reckless driving, driving vehicle in excess of reasonable and prudent speed, changing lanes when unsafe, failure to drive right of center, failure to obey a traffic control device, unauthorized display of registration plates, driving vehicle with tags to another vehicle, driving an uninsured vehicle, driving unregistered vehicle, driving without a license, driving while suspended out of state, failure to display license and failure to display registration.
Shaffer has a hearing scheduled for Sept. 9, in District Court. Shaffer faces a maximum jail sentence of one year and six months and/or a maximum fine of $500.
Contact Charles Seifert at c.seifert@thebaynet.com